National Adaptation Plans in focus: Lessons from Mozambique

Mozambique is severely affected by climate-induced disasters. Over the past two decades, the country experienced an increase in extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and storms, which are projected to become only more frequent and intense in the future. The socio-economic implications of past events have been significant in many cases. In 2016, the worst droughts in 35 years associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation caused severe crop failure and the death of livestock of thousands of farmers. The implications for the country’s food security were tremendous, decreasing overall food availability by 15 percent. These difficulties were further exacerbated by the tropical cyclone Dineo that hit Mozambique in February 2017. According to the government, approximately 550,000 people were affected, and more than 33,000 homes were completely destroyed. In 2019, in short sequence, two cyclones made landfall in March and April. In Mozambique alone, cyclone Idai killed more than 600 people and left an estimated 1.85 million people in need. Cyclone Kenneth was the strongest tropical cyclone ever to hit the African continent and left about 374,000 people in need. Together, the two 2019 cyclones caused damages and losses in the country amounting to an estimated US$3 billion.

This document shares lessons from Mozambique's National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process by outlining the groundwork for supporting the NAP process, challenges and successes, and opportunities for next steps.